Rydell Refugewildlife
The refuge is full of wildlife families from June to July, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Right now at Rydell Refuge
Right now in Rydell Refuge · September
- Fall migration: thousands of waterfowl on the refuge's wetlands and lakes · Sep–Oct
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Church Lake TrailOne paved mile, linked to the Golden Pond Trail, along a large wetland and marsh and through a hardwood forest of ironwood trees
- Tamarac Lake TrailA 2.25-mile gravel loop around Tamarac Lake past tallgrass prairie restorations with native wildflowers from spring to fall, a clearing managed for ruffed grouse and deer, and an accessible fishing pier
Nearby
- Rice Lake Refuge153 miJune through August
- Sherburne Refuge188 mi2 separate phases, from June – AugustSatChance Rain Showers
- Upper Mississippi River Refuge329 mifrom April to August
- Necedah Refuge378 mi3 separate phases, from late MaySatMostly Sunny
- Seney Refuge487 mi2 separate phases, from June – Aug. to see wildlife with youngSatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Sleeping Bear Dunes518 mi2 separate phases, from From late April through Early June
The year at Rydell Refuge
- Spring migration in full swing, up to 100 species a dayApr–May
- Wildlife families: broods on the wetlands, fawns in the prairieJun–Jul
- Fall migration: thousands of waterfowl on the refuge's wetlands and lakesNowSep–Oct
- Resident wildlife (deer, red fox, ruffed grouse, nuthatches, woodpeckers), December to FebruaryDec–Feb
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge is full of wildlife families from June to July, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: from June to July. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: from June to July, local timing.
Where are the nests and broods?
Songbird and raptor nests are along the trails, and mallard, wood duck, hooded merganser, Canada goose and trumpeter swan broods are out on the wetlands.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there wildflowers too?
Yes: the Tamarac Lake Trail passes prairie restorations with native wildflowers from spring to fall, and yellow and showy ladyslippers grow near Swan Lake in spring.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What should I bring?
Good hiking shoes and clothes for the weather, plus water, food, binoculars, field guides, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a camera.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Rydell National Wildlife Refuge?
Church Lake Trail: one paved mile, linked to the Golden Pond Trail, along a large wetland and marsh and through a hardwood forest of ironwood trees; Tamarac Lake Trail: a 2.25-mile gravel loop around Tamarac Lake past tallgrass prairie restorations with native wildflowers from spring to fall, a clearing managed for ruffed grouse and deer, and an accessible fishing pier.
What is Rydell National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Resident wildlife (deer, red fox, ruffed grouse, nuthatches, woodpeckers), December to February (Dec–Feb), Spring migration in full swing, up to 100 species a day (Apr–May), Wildlife families: broods on the wetlands, fawns in the prairie (Jun–Jul) and Fall migration: thousands of waterfowl on the refuge's wetlands and lakes (Sep–Oct).